Roman Abramovich took over Chelsea and went on to turn it into one of the biggest and most successful clubs in Europe with a rich history in the 21st century. But even the takeover, the Blues had numerous memorable moments etched in football history. However, after a humiliating and embarrassing 6-0 loss at the hands of Man City over the weekend, we want to take a look at other crazy facts about Chelsea football club.
Here are 5 crazy facts about The Blues as they are fondly called;
The Blues once played in the arctic circle
On October 24, 1997, Chelsea faced difficulties when they played inside the Arctic Circle against Tromsø – a Norwegian club with part-timers. The first leg game in Norway saw the Blues losing 3-2 but the match is infamous for the conditions in which it was played.
There was heavy snowfall during the game and play had to be suspended twice so that ground staff could redraw the lines by dragging large brooms through the snow. However, the Blues won the return leg 7-1 to put their first leg misery behind them.
Chelsea club was once sold for £1 in 1982
In 1982, Chelsea was in serious financial debt and was unable to pay its players. As result, businessman Ken Bates took over the club for £1 while taking on debts of £1.5m! Although the figure of £1.5m in debt may not seem like much now, back in 1982, that was a huge sum.
In 2013 Fernando Torres became the only one to score in 7 different competitions in a season
Back in 2012/13, Fernando Torres set a unique record while playing for the Blues. The Spaniard scored for Chelsea in seven different competitions. He broke the previous record held by compatriot and now Chelsea player, Pedro Rodriguez, who scored in six different competitions in 2009 while still at Barcelona. Torres scored for the Blues in the FA Community Shield, Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, Capital One Cup, FA Cup and the UEFA Europa League.
They once played a Premier League game wearing the oppositions away kit
On 9 April 1997, Chelsea played Coventry City away in a Premier League match at Highfield Road but the Blues didn’t wear their traditional blue kit or their away kit.
Coventry, the home side, played in their traditional light blue kit and Chelsea traveled for the game with only their Blue home kits. The referee felt that the two home kits clashed and subsequently, the kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes to resolve the matter.
Since the Blues didn’t have their away kit with them, they were given two options – wear the red and black checked away kit of Coventry or forfeit the match. Obviously, Ruud Gullit’s side took the former option but they lost the game 3-1 despite taking the lead.
They were the first English team to travel to a domestic away game by aeroplane
Chelsea were the first English side to travel by aeroplane to a domestic away match. The Blues did so when they visited Newcastle United on 19 April 1957.
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen earned a bonus for his performance on Monday night! He scored a goal against his Nigerian teammate, Maduka Okoye, who plays as a goalkeeper for Udinese.
This goal triggered a clause in Osimhen’s contract with Napoli, resulting in a €125,000 (around ₦186 million) bonus. Even though Napoli only tied the game 1-1, Osimhen’s goal was financially rewarding.
After playing against Maduka Okoye, Osimhen receives €125,000.
Victor Osimhen, the powerful striker for Napoli, had a night of mixed emotions. On one hand, his team only managed a 1-1 draw against Udinese. On the other hand, Osimhen himself had a very successful performance.
The highlight of his night was a fantastic headed goal against Udinese’s goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, who also hails from Nigeria. This goal wasn’t just strategically important, but it also held financial significance for Osimhen.
News outlets had previously reported that Osimhen’s contract included a bonus clause tied to reaching several league goals for the season. His strike against Udinese brought his total to 15, triggering the clause and earning him a cool €125,000. So, while Napoli may not have taken home the win, Osimhen certainly had something to celebrate.
Osimhen’s performance stats with Napoli this year
Victor Osimhen is having a strong season for Napoli, even though he hasn’t quite matched his incredible performance from last year. This season, he has scored 15 goals in 23 games. That’s a very respectable goal-scoring record, but it falls short of the 26 goals he scored last season, which helped Napoli win the title.
There’s a reason why Osimhen’s goal total is a bit lower this season: he missed some important games due to injury and his commitment to playing for Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite missing these games, Osimhen is still on pace for his second-best season in Naples! With more games to play this season, he could still reach or even surpass his goal total from last year.
Sha’Carri Richardson, an American track and field athlete, is renowned for her exceptional speed and charismatic personality. She specialises in the 100- and 200-metre events and initially gained widespread attention in 2019.
Both triumphs and challenges have marked Richardson’s journey to becoming one of the fastest women in history. Despite facing adversity, including the loss of her mother, struggles with substance abuse, and a temporary ban from competition, she has consistently persevered and overcome obstacles.
In 2023, Richardson achieved the remarkable feat of becoming a world champion, solidifying her status as a resilient and inspiring figure in the world of athletics.
Sha’carri Richardson’s age
Sha’Carri Richardson’s birthday is on March 25, 2000. This means that she was 24 years old when this was written. Even though she is a young runner, Sha’Carri Richardson has already accomplished amazing things in track and field. She has broken records and become one of the fastest women in history.
Sha’carri Richardson’s height
Sha’Carri Richardson is an amazing track star, but she’s on the shorter side for sprinters. She’s only 5 feet, 1 inch tall. Even though she isn’t tall, she makes up for it in other ways. Sha’Carri has incredible strength and runs with perfect form.
Her lower height gives her a centre of gravity closer to the ground. This helps her launch out of the starting blocks quickly and lets her develop a unique running style that has made her a champion.
Sha’carri Richardson’s mother
Reports indicate that Sha’Carri Richardson’s mother, Shayaria Richardson, was herself a track and field athlete, though she and Richardson’s father were not significantly involved in their daughter’s life.
Consequently, Richardson was primarily raised by her grandmother, Betty Harp, and her aunt. Despite her mother’s absence, the 24-year-old athlete has expressed gratitude for bringing her into the world. However, tragedy struck in 2021 when Richardson’s mother passed away.
This event had a significant impact on her career, as she was disqualified from the Olympics for failing a drug test, and testing positive for marijuana shortly after winning the women’s 100m U.S. Olympic Trials.
In an interview, Richardson disclosed that she turned to the banned substance as a means of coping with her mother’s death, which occurred just a week before the Olympic trials.
Where is Sha’carri Richardson from?
Sha’Carri Richardson was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. It’s where she first started running at the young age of nine. She did so well in middle and high school that she became a famous sprinter all over the country.
Even though she now travels to compete, Dallas is still her hometown and where her love for running began. She went to college at Louisiana State University for a year but then decided to run professionally in 2019.
How fast can Sha’carri Richardson run?
Sha’Carri Richardson is renowned for her remarkable speed, achieving a personal best legal time of 10.65 seconds in the 100 metres. She achieved this impressive feat when she won the 100m title at the 2023 World Championships held in Budapest.
What is Sha’carri Richardson’s fastest time?
Sha’Carri Richardson unofficially recorded an even faster time of 10.57 seconds at the 2023 Miramar Invitational. This impressive achievement was aided by a strong tailwind, highlighting Richardson’s immense potential and exceptional talent.
Who is Sha’carri Richardson’s coach?
Sha’Carri Richardson is under the coaching guidance of Dennis Mitchell, who himself is a former Olympic medalist. Mitchell’s expertise has played a crucial role in propelling Richardson’s career to new heights, resulting in numerous remarkable achievements.
Mitchell’s extensive experience in track and field is a valuable asset to Richardson’s training regimen. During his active years as an athlete, Mitchell had an illustrious career, clinching gold in the 4x100m relay at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Additionally, he earned a bronze and a silver medal in the 100m and 4x100m relay events, respectively. Mitchell, who also coaches Noah Lyles, received the prestigious Coach of the Year award in 2023.
This accolade was bestowed upon him following the outstanding performances of both Richardson and Lyles at the World Athletics Championships held in Budapest, where they secured several medals.
As of the current time, Sha’Carri Richardson is not married. According to multiple sources, the American athlete is currently single and not in a relationship. However, in the past, Richardson was in a relationship with a female Jamaican athlete, Janeek Brown for two years before they parted ways in February 2022.
Sha’carri Richardson and Shericka Jackson
Sha’Carri Richardson and Shericka Jackson have forged an engaging rivalry in track and field. Both athletes are highly accomplished sprinters, consistently pushing each other to excel. In 2023, their fierce competitions were the focal points of attention.
Richardson showcased her dominance in the 100m event, securing the World Championship title. Meanwhile, Jackson exhibited her prowess in the 200m, setting the second-fastest time in history.
Fans eagerly anticipate their anticipated clash at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they are expected to compete in both the 100m and 200m races.
Sha’carri Richardson Olympics
Sha’Carri Richardson has yet to compete in an Olympic event in her career. She qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics by winning the women’s 100-metre race at the United States Olympic Trials.
Unfortunately, her victory was nullified after she tested positive for cannabis use following the trials, rendering her ineligible to compete. Despite this setback, Richardson rebounded in 2023, enjoying a remarkable year.
As she looks ahead to the Paris 2024 Olympics, Richardson is now considered the favourite to make her Olympic debut, determined to make the most of this opportunity after her previous disappointment.
Sha’carri Richardson Instagram
Sha’Carri Richardson maintains a significant following on Instagram, where her handle is @itsshacarri, boasting over 3 million followers.
On her Instagram profile, Richardson frequently showcases her fashion sense, collaborates with various brands, and shares updates about her life events with her audience.
Sha’carri Richardson and Nike
In 2023, Sha’Carri Richardson, the world champion, signed a lucrative five-year contract with Nike, valued at $20 million. This deal was secured following her remarkable success on the global stage, although she had been endorsed by the brand since 2019.
Alongside her partnership with Nike, Richardson has additional endorsement deals with Apple Music, Beats, and Sprite.
The estimated net worth of the American sprinter falls within the range of $1 million to $5 million. The bulk of her wealth stems from her earnings as a track and field athlete, along with lucrative endorsement deals with major brands such as Nike, Beats, and Apple Music.
Bayern Munich faces a tough challenge in the upcoming Champions League semi-final first leg against Real Madrid. Head coach Thomas Tuchel is determined to snap a negative trend against their Spanish rivals.
Losing Streak
Bayern Munich has been struggling against Real Madrid in recent years. They haven’t secured a win in their last seven encounters, with a staggering four of those losses happening on their home turf, the Allianz Arena. This dismal record adds pressure to the upcoming match.
Tuchel’s Optimism
Despite the daunting statistics, Tuchel maintains a positive outlook. He believes his team has the capability to overcome Real Madrid and secure a crucial victory in the first leg. This confidence is likely fueled by Bayern’s current good form, having won four consecutive games in all competitions.
Real Madrid’s Dominance
However, Real Madrid shouldn’t be underestimated. They’ve established themselves as Bayern’s nemesis in recent Champions League clashes. Their dominance is evident in the six wins they’ve achieved during this seven-game stretch.
The upcoming match promises to be a thrilling encounter. Can Bayern Munich break the losing streak and gain the upper hand, or will Real Madrid continue their winning ways?
“We want to play the game in isolation, without any background thoughts. That’s important to ensure we have the freedom to play a top game,” said the Bayern boss. “We’ll try our all to win the game. Then we’ll know how things stand for the second leg.
“The job against Real is about getting enough people in attack to hurt them, but also not to expose ourselves. We need a good balance of discipline and freedom. Obviously, we also need some luck in the game, momentum.”
That’s important information to add to the context of the Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid matchup! The first leg on April 30th at Allianz Arena will set the tone for the return match at Santiago Bernabeu on May 8th. Knowing both dates gives fans a clearer picture of the overall schedule and how each team might approach the first leg strategically.